Impelled by curiosity they advanced towards him, and were at his side before he seemed conscious of their presence. When they spoke to him in his own language, he lifted up his head as if surprised. "What are you doing there ?" said the missionary. "I am endeavouring," said the Hindoo, "to do the will of Brahma, by a life of penitence, fasting, solitude, and meditation." "How do you know the will of Brahma ?" "It has been revealed." "Do you really think that piety is to be purchased by voluntary privations and tortures? Is it wise thus to trust in your own merits? And have you any reason for it?" "De not speak to me thus. I must walk in the good way. Every one must act according to his light, and do what he thinks to be his duty." "Do not deceive yourself. Have you seriously considered the kind of life you are leading ?" "Yes, and my mind is fixed." "Who gives you food, and where do you live?" "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man had not where to lay his head.' So say your own Scriptures. I know not whence my daily food is to come, nor where I shall rest my head at night. I sleep sometimes on the ground, sometimes under a tree, sometimes under a verandah. I have always enough to eat, without knowing whence it

comes.

This last reply was given in English. The missionary, surprised, inquired, "Where did you learn English?"

"In the American Mission Seminary at Batticotta. I was baptized there. My name is Porter. I have examined both religions, and am determined on the life I wish to lead. You have left your country to preach the gospel of Christ. Do your duty, but let

thers do as they please." "Be not hasty. If ou sincerely think you are in the way that leads > heaven, it is your duty to labour to bring others to llow your example." "Every one should be left 5 follow his own convictions,” replied the devotee. Notwithstanding the discouraging aspect of the case, he missionary continued the conversation. But it as in vain that he exhorted the Hindoo to examine resh the foundations of his faith, ere it should be too te.

"If all Hindoos," said he, "should become sanyasis, ow would you be fed and clothed?"

"One of your prophets," answered the Hindoo, was fed by ravens. The number whom the gods call this mode of life will always be small."

Porter was invited to visit the mission-house, but e refused. He had had, he said, frequent interviews ith missionaries, and had resolved never to debate with them again.

This man had become a sanyasis two years previously. He hoped by degrees to become able to live irst on rice, then on milk, and finally on air. Having attained to this ethereal mode of existence, his plan was to retire into the jungle, there to devote himself entirely to the contemplation of Brahma, that he might merit the favour of that deity, and be at last transported by him into the regions of eternal blessedness. He was confident of one day reaching that state of perfection, though he neither knew when it would be, nor by what means. "That," said he, "is not my affair; it belongs to the gods."

This conversation shows the kind of life led by Brahma's most privileged disciples. It shows also the disappointments which missionaries experience in rc

gard to the results of the religious education the dispense. Doubtless the sanyasis gratify their tas for a life of idleness, and enjoy the reverence paid the by the superstitious and ignorant people, and thus an amply repaid for all their self-imposed tortures an privations.

YOUNG MEN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.

NOTES AND NEWS.

INDIA. All the readers of the JUVENILE HERALD ROW something of the Mutiny in India, and of the terrible things that have happened there. They also know that the lives of many of the Missionaries have been placed in great de ger, and that a few of these noble and devoted servants of Christ have fallen a sacrifice to the cruelty of the rebel Sepers God has, however, wonderfully preserved the lives of the great majority, and some have been saved as if by a miracle. How God appears for the deliverance of his servants will be seen by the following short extract from a letter written by Mr. Gregson, at Benares. He says:-" The troops at Benares revolted on the evening of June 4th, and the good hand of God was very strikingly manifested in our preservation. We had to flee in haste, leaving everything behind us, taking ne thing but the clothes we wore. Our house being rather is lated, and close upon the city, threatened to be one of the first attacked. But, providentially, the mutineers were defested, and the city has remained quiet. Still we have such a co stant succession of alarms, that we have not thought it de sirable to return home, but remain with a kind friend whe has sheltered us, and whose house is near the barracks. Mr. Heinig and family not having been equally fortunate in get ing suitable accommodation, have several times returned to their own bungalow and slept there; but last week we had such serious alarms that they have again fled, and are now at Ruy-ghat with Mr. Smith." In the midst of all these alarms and dangers, and in other parts of the country where they have been even more exposed, the Missionaries, whilst pro perly taking such means as they can for preserving the lives of their wives and children, calmly put their trust in God,

LETTER FROM CEYLON.

187

hitherto He has appeared for their deliverance. Let us mber them in all our prayers. Since receiving the letter red to, we have received another, informing us that Mr. son has gone to join the army of the brave and good eral Havelock, that he may preach to the soldiers; and in dvance to relieve the men, women, and children shut up he rebels in Lucknow, he has doubtless been in many fers. May God have preserved him!

HE MISSIONARY'S HOPE.-The Christian knows that "the 1 reigneth," and that He can bring good out of evil, and se even the wicked to praise Him. So Mr. Gregson says, have a strong hope that these commotions will in the end our great work. I expect it will strike such a blow at the em of caste as that system has never yet received. Hitherto government have encouraged caste distinctions by always ng the preference to high caste natives. In future this icy must be reversed; and let it only be once known that ployment under government is open to every caste, and to se of no caste, without distinction, and much will have been omplished."

HE BOAT FOR AFRICA.-Our readers will be pleased to en that Mr. Diboll's appeal for a boat in which he may visit European vessels that come to Fernando Po, and so give gious instruction to the sailors, has been met by contribuas amounting to £8 6s., and we hope to report next month it the whole amount has been received.

CEYLON LETTERS.-The Rev. J. Allen has kindly forwarded several letters addressed to those schools that are supportg schools in Ceylon. One of these, from a native teacher, all appear in the next number of the HERALD.

A LIVERPOOL AUXILIARY.-The annual report of the Myrtle reet Juvenile Missionary Society, Liverpool, has been sent us by Mr. Mounsey. It is, as usual, a very encouraging rert. The amount raised by the Myrtle Street School and 3 branches during the past year (including a balance from e previous year) is £63 13s. 10d. The report says:

During the past year, boxes of clothing and other articles ave been made up and forwarded to two of the missionary Cations. One of the value of £20 has been sent to the Rev. V. K. Rycroft, Bahamas, and the other valued at £18 has been hipped to Ceylon for Rev. J. Allen. Sufficient time has ot yet elapsed to hear of their safe arrival, but Mr. Rycroft, na letter received the other day, anticipates the receipt of The box for him with great pleasure and thankfulness.

"In addition to the grants of £10 each to the three schools assisted by the Society, the committee have made a special vote of £5 to the German Mission, on behalf of which the Rev J. G. Oncken has recently visited this country.”

ANNUAL MEETING.-The annual meeting of the Young Men's Association, London, was held in the Library of the Mission House on Tuesday evening, October 27th. Interesting speeches were delivered by the Revs. W. Brock, John Stent W. Barker, Mr. John Francis, &c. As the readers of the HERALD have been informed from month to month of some of the movements of this useful Society, we shall only give one extract from the report, which shows a large amount. work done in one department, in which our young friends a: particularly interested, it is as follows:

"During the last winter, the late Secretary and two men bers of the Committee delivered forty-three Lectures, illus trated either with dissolving views, or by coloured pictures idols, and other objects, from the Museum of the Association The aggregate attendance of young persons and others ex ceeded 16,000; and it is believed that by means of these Le tures they were not only interested in, but instructed as to the condition and wants of the several countries brought before them."

The new Lecture on India, illustrated with beautiful dis solving views, will be ready for delivery after December 20th

J. T.

Donations from several friends for ditto
Juvenile Auxiliary, Evesham, for schools

33, Moorgate-street, November 16th, 1857.

TO OUR READERS.-A merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all! We hope they will do what they can to get fre Subscribers to our HERALD in their schools and homes. In on January Number will appear the first part of an origina. MISSIONARY STORY, and other interesting pieces.

London: Reed and Pardon, Printers, Paternoster-:ow.